Term 2

Our final two weeks at school have been very varied! We enjoyed attending the Oxford Playhouse pantomime on Tuesday 05/12/17. We watched a re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk. On Thursday (07/12/17) we attended Church to dress the Christmas tree. We also had a little time to look around and find out about some of the features of the church. Rev’d Lakey re-told the Christmas story which we joined in with. We made Christmas mobiles to represent the story of the First Christmas and enjoyed Christmas cooking on Friday (15/12/17). Please have a look on Latest News to see photographs from our Nativity – Not Such A Silent Night. We finished the term with our annual Christmas Party – thanks to our wonderful PTA (photographs on Latest News) and Christmas assembly.

Please enjoy the Christmas break, rest well and we look forward to seeing you all on 04/01/18.

Phonics:This week we have been learning the sounds k/ck (when we see two letters they will only make one sound ‘ck’ will make a ‘k’ sound)/e, thinking of items which have these sounds and learning how to segment words in order to write (using the sounds we have already learnt). Keep up all the sound talking and blending this really helps the children.

Maths: We continue to practise our counting; this term we are counting forwards and backwards between 0 and 20 and counting on from any point between 0-5. We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-9. During our main sessions we have been learning about repeating patterns and using our knowledge to make paperchains. Later in the week we have been learning about 2D shapes (flat shapes), naming circle, square, rectangle and triangle. We have begun to learn the properties of each shape (where the corners are, numbers of corners, where to find the side and the number of sides).

PD: During PE on Friday afternoon we worked with Mr Aplin and Mr Pappas and continued to practise our gymnastics skills. During Fine Motor Skills we have been using the playdough to practise and strengthen the muscles in our hands, wrists and shoulders. We enjoyed making pomanders (placing cloves into oranges). During handwriting we have been carefully working on handwriting patterns and learning the formation of the long ladder letter (i/l/t/j/u/y).

Understanding of the World: This week we have begun to learn the story on the first Christmas. We found our Angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her she would have a baby named Jesus.

Expressive Art and Design: We joined KS1 on Monday and Mrs Fell to practise our songs for our performance Not Such A Silent Night. We have also been given the parts we will play and begun to try on our costumes.

A very well done to Cecilia and Livia for speaking to Lilley from Radio Oxford - both children were amazing. You can catch up on the show via BBC iPlayer (Yr 5&6 spoke on Monday, Yr 1&2 on Tuesday, Reception on Wednesday, Yr 3&4 on Thursday and Takeover staff on Friday).

Phonics:This week we have been larning the sounds g/o/c, thinking of items which have these sounds, sorting items by their initial sound and learning how to segment words in order to write (using the sounds we have already learnt). Keep up all the sound talking and blending this really helps the children.

Maths: We continue to practise our counting; this term we are counting forwards and backwards between 0 and 20 and counting on from any point between 0-5. We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-9. during our main sessions we have been reading numbers, counting the correct amount, then taking one away - we enjoyed singing 10 green bottles to help consolidate this concept.

PD: During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin and Mr Pappas. During Fine Motor Skills we have been using the playdough to practise and strengthen the muscles in our hands, wrists and shoulders. We enjoyed trying to thread cheerios onto dry spaghetti - this was tricky for some of us! During handwriting we have been carefully working on handwriting patterns and learning the formation of the zig-zag monster letters (v/w/x/z/f/s).

Understanding of the World: This week we planted spinach in the garden - hopefully the guinea pigs Wilbur and Bob will be able to enjoy our planting and growing skills (if the squirrel doesn't get there first and eat the seeds).

Art and Design: The children had great fun being taught by William and Evie for 'Takeover Day' and enjoyed painting Autumnal trees.

Phonics:This week we have been sorting items by their initial sound i/n/m/d and learning how to segment words in order to write (using the sounds we have already learnt).

Maths: We continue to practise our counting; this term we are counting forwards and backwards between 0 and 20 and counting on from any point between 0-5. We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-9. during our main sessions we have been reading numbers, counting the correct amount, then adding one more.

PD: During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin and Mr Pappas. During Fine Motor Skills we have been using the playdough to practise and strengthen the muscles in our hands, wrists and shoulders. We enjoyed trying to balance the marbles - this was tricky! During handwriting we have been carefully working on handwriting patterns and learning the formation of the zig-zag monster letters (v/w/x/z/f/s).

Understanding of the World: This week is anti-bullying week and we have been thinking about being kind to each other (using kind words, kind hands, kind feet) and what to do when things go wrong by saying 'No thank you - I don't like it!' Children are reminded to come and find an adult if they can not solve a problem, please help at home to reiterate this to your child - it is much easier to deal with any worries/concerns as soon as they happen. We have also been learning about Children in Need and enjoyed wearing our pjs to school on Friday! Click here to see a great photograph of us all: http://www.clifton-hampden.oxon.sch.uk/autumn-term-1b/

Art and Design: The children had great fun whilst making a split pin Pudsey bear - although it was a little challenging deciding where some of the parts went.

Phonics– This week we have begun learning our phase 2 sounds (s/a/t/p). This children have been sorting items depending on the beginning sounds. They has also been practising their blending when the hear a word sound talked (robot talk) to them.

Maths – We continue to practise our counting; this term we are counting forwards and backwards between 0 and 20 and beginning to count on from any point within the 0-5 range. Or main sessions have focused on counting amounts to match a selected numeral and understanding the concept 'altogether' by playing lots of different games where we are counting at least two groups.

We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-8.

PD – During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin. During handwriting we have been carefully working on handwriting patterns and learning the formation of the 'one armed robot' letters (h/n/m/r/p/k) which all begin in a similar way.

Understanding of the World- We have been learning about the Gunpowder plot and the story of Guy Fawkes. The children have enjoyed sharing their experiences of watching fireworks with each other. We have also been learning about 'Poppy Day' and why we wear poppies. The children have drawn some beautiful poppies and medals to add to our Remembrance dispaly. Please have a look at our Forest School page to see our learning for this week.

Expressive Art and Design - We have been busy drawing pictures of fireworks on to a black background using chalk. The children also spent time acting out the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

Phonics– This week we have been learning about rhyme - the children have been thinking about the middle and end sounds of a word. We have been playing rhyming pairs, reading rhymes/poems and sharing stories which rhyme.

Maths – We continue to practise our counting; this term we are counting forwards and backwards between 0 and 20. We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-7.

PD – During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin. During handwriting we have been carefully working on handwriting patterns and learning the formation of the curly caterpillar letter (c/o/a/g/d/g).

Understanding of the World- We have been learning about the festival 'Diwali' and the adventures of Rama and Sita. Have a look at our Forest School page to see our learning.

Expressive Art and Design - We have been retelling the story of Rama and Sita this week and enjoying our role play area in the summer house.

Week 1

Welcome back to term 2! I hope you all had a wonderful break and were able to enjoy the good weather. We have lots planned already for this term and our learning will focus more on 'Celebrations and Festivals' until Christmas.